Kea, a National Kaitiaki and Taonga

Young kea, photo by Andrew Walmsley

Kea were considered guardians of the mountains for the Waitaha Maori during their search for Pounamu (greenstone). Maori gave the name kea, describing the sound of its call. Its species name Nestor is from Greek mythology. Nestor was said to be a wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy. Notabilis (latin), means, ‘that worthy of note’.